3 more crews added to NZ Sailing Squad

12:57 pm on 26 February 2015

Another three sailors have been added to the the New Zealand sailing squad for the 2015 season, while 12 crews from last year have been retained.

Laser sailors Sara Winther and Michael Bullot and boardsailer Jon-Paul Tobin return.

All will be competing in in the Sail Auckland regatta, which is underway.

Womens 49erFX pair Molly Meech (L) and Alexandra Maloney. Photo: Photosport

Following that each will embark on their own pre-planned programme of international competition for 2015, including World Cup regattas, World and European Championship regattas, and for a few Rio Olympic test events.

Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie sail to gold in the 470 at the Olympic Test event in Rio, 2014. Photo: Yachting NZ

Last year New Zealand was one of only three nations to secure national qualification for an Olympic berth in all 10 sailing events through their results at the 2014 ISAF Sailing World Championship in Spain.

High performance manager Jez Fanstone says the crews are acutely aware that Olympic selectors will be keeping a keen eye on their performances at the major international regattas this year.

2015 NZL Sailing Team:

Peter Burling and Blair Tuke - 49er

Josh Porebski and Marcus Hansen - 49er

Alexandra Maloney and Molly Meech - 49erFX

Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie - Women's 470

Paul Snow-Hansen and Daniel Willcox - Men's 470

Andy Maloney - Laser

Sam Meech - Laser

Thomas Saunders - Laser

Michael Bullot - Laser

Sara Winther - Laser Radial

Gemma Jones and Jason Saunders - Nacra 17